For our 2nd Episode of NS Radar episode 2 we had the pleasure of talking with jev., a talented artist who has overcome many challenges throughout his career, making him an inspiration to aspiring artists. jev's unique and diverse background, having lived in the Congo, South Africa, and Canada, has allowed him to draw inspiration from all kinds of music, making his music relatable and authentic.
During the interview, jev. elaborates on his latest single "lonrwrld" and his album "The Color Grey." He talks about the creative process behind his music and the challenges he faced while creating "lonrwrld." jev. reveals that his latest single is a freestyle that showcases his lyrical ability and sets the tone for his upcoming projects. It's a great introduction to jev's world, sonically and aesthetically. jev.'s album "The Color Grey" is a concept album that explores the transitional periods in life, from being a teen to an adult, or from rags to riches. jev.'s music captures these moments perfectly, and his latest single "lonrwrld" is no exception.
jev.'s playlist for NS Radar Episode 2 showcases his love for all kinds of music, from Jill Scott to Biggie Smalls, and everything in between. Music is a universal language, and jev's background has allowed him to draw inspiration from all kinds of music. He shares the reasoning behind the songs he chose and how they relate to his personal experiences and artistic vision. jev.'s playlist is a testament to his diverse background and his love for all kinds of music.
jev.'s success as an artist has not come without challenges. During the interview, jev. discusses the biggest challenge he has faced so far, which is the mental challenges that most artists go through, such as asking oneself if the music is good enough or if he's going to make it. jev. stresses the importance of not seeking validation from the outside and engaging with people that have similar goals. jev.'s message is clear - perseverance and commitment to one's craft are key to overcoming challenges.
jev.'s music is a testament to his perseverance and commitment to his craft. His latest single "lonrwrld" is a great example of his talent and dedication, and we're excited to see what he has in store for the future. jev. has upcoming projects and collaborations in the works, and he encourages his fans and listeners to continue supporting his music. jev.'s message to his listeners is clear - he's overjoyed and overwhelmed by all the love his projects have received, and he will forever be grateful for their support.
Overall, jev.'s interview is an insightful and inspiring conversation about the creative process behind his music, his personal experiences, and his challenges as an artist. jev.'s music is a true reflection of his background and experiences, making it relatable and authentic. jev.'s dedication to his craft is an inspiration to aspiring artists, and his message is clear - perseverance and commitment are key to success. Read more about jev. below and check out the playlist he put togeher for NS RADAR episode 2.
First of all, congratulations on the remarkable achievement of "Where's The Confetti" hitting 1 million streams on Spotify. As an artist, how does it feel to have such a positive response to your music, and what does this success mean to you personally and professionally?
Thank you. For me personally as an artist success is making sharing your art and people resonating with it in any fashion, that's success for me, I feel like art is suppose disrupt good or bad, so people engaging with it any sort of fashion is success to me. Professionally, I am grateful people are streaming and enjoying the music, success to me in a professional sense is growth, I remember the times when it was only 50 people streaming, so the growth is amazing to see and that is success to me.
With the recent release of your new song "lonrwrld" (freestyle), could you elaborate on the creative process behind it? For instance, how did you come up with the idea for the song, and what was the recording process like? Were there any particular challenges you faced while creating "lonrwrld"?
lonrwrld is my first offering after my project “the color grey” with this song in particular I wanted to double down on my brand and image even more, especially with all the new eyes on me, I wanted to make a statement and differentiate myself image and sonic wise. The only challenged I faced was really getting everything ready in time, luckily everything went smoothly and people are resonating with the single.
In comparison to your previous releases, both sonically and thematically, how would you say "lonrwrld" differs? What inspired the song's lyrics, and how do they relate to your personal experiences, if at all? What message do you hope to convey to your listeners through "lonrwrld"?
lonrwrld is very similar to the songs on my project, a little bit more mature and laid back but still very similar sonically. With this song I wasn't looking to go too far out of my comfort zone or experiment with sonics, I wanted to continue playing in the same sonic realm I created with “the color grey”. For the project however there will be more experimenting and just getting out my comfort zone both lyrically and sonically.
Continuing on the theme of your music, what inspired the themes and lyrics on your previous album, "The Color Grey"? How did you draw on your own personal experiences to create the album, and what was the creative process like from start to finish?
I came up with the concept of the project a little while back before the pandemic, the theme pertains around translational periods, whether that's from being a teen to adult or from rags to riches etc. it’s about different translational periods and the grey area between these periods and songs like “where’s the confetti?” capture these moments perfectly, the idea behind “where’s the confetti?” was someone that starts to gain success but notices he/she is not getting love or support from those around them Ann the begin to ask where’s the love, where’s the congratulations, where’s the roses, where’s the celebration/ hence the title where’s the confetti?. The whole idea of the translational period came to me when I graduated high school and just started college and was in a place in my life where I just felt like I was crossroads in terms of what I wanted to do with my life and started to notice that life was not as black and white as I expected and I found myself ion a grey. hence the title “The color grey”
As a successful artist, you have faced many challenges throughout your career. What would you say has been the biggest challenge you have faced so far, and how did you overcome it? What advice would you give to other aspiring artists facing similar challenges?
The mental challenges are probably the main thing most artists go through. asking yourself if the music is good enough or if you're going to make it, etc. Also, trying to navigate the world as an artist you realize the world loves art but they hate artists. I overcame that by not seeking validation from the outside and engaging with people that have similar goals to me and are in the same space I'm in.
In the context of your overall body of work as an artist, how do you feel "lonrwrld" contributes to your artistic vision? What do you hope listeners take away from the song, both individually and as part of your larger body of work?
In terms of sonics I think “lonrwrld” is a great introduction for potential supporters to me as an artist and what they can expect from me. I called “lonrwrld” because it’s a great introduction to my world, sonically and aesthetically.
Could you discuss any specific musical or production choices you made with "lonrwrld" that you particularly enjoyed? How did you decide on the overall sound and tone of the song, and were there any specific influences or inspirations that played a role in its creation?
This is one of my easiest songs to write because it's just me having and really exercising my lyrical ability, working closely with the producer, Swisher, the beat came easy and was perfect for the sound I'm building. The only thing I added that I feel like brought more life to the song and made it even more interesting is the little skit between the verses, I feel like that was perfect and shows my personality in the music without being too extra about it.
Moving on to your recent appearance on NS RADAR, can you walk us through your creative process for compiling the playlist for episode 2? What was the inspiration behind the songs you chose, and how do they relate to your own personal experiences and artistic vision?
Luckily for me, I grew up with a very diverse background from the Congo to South Africa to Canada. I have heard literally all kinds of music and have been influenced by all of it. With the songs I chose I really wanted to showcase that. So I chose music I grew up on and music that was influenced me and music that I'm currently listening to. Because of my background, my playlist can literally go from Jill Scott to Khuli Chana, from Nas to Awilo Longomba, From Biggie Smalls to Kirk Franklin. I love all kinds of music, I’m restricted to none. With all the places I've lived, the one thing I learned is music is a universal language, a good song is a good song anywhere.
Were there any specific songs or artists that you included in the NS RADAR episode 2 playlist that hold a special significance to you? If so, can you share the reason behind it, and how they have influenced your own music?
Yes, a South African rapper by the name of AKA. One of my favorite rappers to date, he was the first celebrity I have ever met and the first verse I ever memorized was one of his. A true African legend and one of my childhood heroes.
Finally, where can your fans and listeners find your music, and what other upcoming projects or collaborations do you have in the works? How can your listeners continue to support your music, and what message would you like to send to them?
I have a couple more single drops this year but a project coming hopefully by the end of the year, I want to be active with videos this year. I’m overjoyed and overwhelmed by all the love the project received and will forever be grateful.